Chapter 6

Qin Rongguang’s face was extremely dark. Jiang Suihan had humiliated him thoroughly, showing no regard for his dignity.

So ungrateful!

She was just the daughter of a failed intellectual. With a mere gesture, he could make her suffer, and she would eventually come begging for his forgiveness.

Huang Qiujuan’s face was cold, showing a look of exasperation. “You really don’t know how to appreciate a good intention. You still think you’re the daughter of Professor Jiang, the young lady of the Jiang family, as if people are lining up to be chosen. Wake up from your dreams. Comrade Qin is willing to marry you despite your background and help with your family’s issues. That’s an opportunity you won’t find even with a lantern.”

She pushed Jiang Suihan roughly. “Apologize to Comrade Qin. You’re young and naive, only seeing the surface. What’s the use of a man’s looks? What matters is whether he can provide a good life.”

“Besides, Comrade Qin is quite decent. He has looks, family background, and ability. There are many girls waiting to marry into their family. It’s only because Comrade Qin specifically chose you that his family agreed to accept you.”

Jiang Suihan stumbled slightly, dodging Huang Qiujuan’s finger as it aimed for her forehead. She coldly said, “I’m not interested in such a ‘good deal.’ Even for the sake of future children, I wouldn’t choose a man of such short stature. They’d be mocked by their peers for not growing tall.”

She glanced disdainfully at Qin Rongguang. “This Comrade Qin looks to be about twenty-seven or twenty-eight. At this age, still unmarried means either there are health issues, psychological problems, or a previous marriage that ended in divorce or death. Am I right?”

“If I remember correctly, Auntie has two nieces around my age. Instead of seeking benefits for her own family, she’s going out of her way to introduce a good match to me, who is no longer related by blood. It just doesn’t add up.”

“Auntie, you keep emphasizing how great Comrade Qin is. I can’t help but suspect that there’s something you’re hiding from me. Are you trying to exchange me for some benefit?”

When the Jiang family fell into hardship, Auntie Huang and her family were eager to distance themselves from them. Now they come pretending to be benevolent. Besides me and my brother, there’s nothing left for them to gain from the Jiang family.

Jiang Suihan touched her face, suspecting it was the cause of her troubles.

Huang Qiujuan felt a pang of guilt. Qin Rongguang, now twenty-seven, had indeed been married before. His wife had fallen while pregnant, and both she and the baby had died. Since then, he had been single for years, and his family was anxious for him to marry. They grudgingly accepted Jiang Suihan despite their reservations because their son was still single, and the elderly in the family were desperate for grandchildren.

Hearing Jiang Suihan’s sarcastic remarks, Huang Qiujuan was nearly enraged.

In her view, Qin Rongguang’s previous marriage was inconsequential. His wife had died years ago without leaving children, and the chance to marry into a family with the deputy-director of a food factory should be seen as a blessing.

She had wanted to introduce her own niece to Qin Rongguang but was rejected due to Qin Rongguang’s high standards. Her niece was beautiful, but when compared to Jiang Suihan, she was just a supporting role, overshadowed by this troublesome girl.

Qin Rongguang promised Huang Qiujuan that if she could persuade Jiang Suihan to marry him and everything went smoothly, he would arrange a job for Huang Qiujuan’s second son at the food factory. Finding a job in the city was difficult, and if he couldn’t find one, her son would have to suffer in the countryside. How could she not be anxious?

Perhaps due to the recent upheaval in her family, Jiang Suihan had changed a lot. No longer naive, she spoke with sharpness and no regard for feelings.

Huang Qiujuan steadied herself and said earnestly, “You’re from the Jiang family, we’re family. How could I harm you? I know we haven’t done right in the past, but this time I’m here to help you and your brother. You can continue to live a hard life out of spite, but I can’t just watch you decline.”

“I’m truly looking out for you. Comrade Qin’s conditions are really good. With your current situation, finding a good man is difficult. Comrade Qin is willing to support Lele.”

“Look at how few brothers-in-law are willing to use their own money to support their wife’s brother. Even if you don’t think of yourself, you should think of your brother. He’s your father’s only son. Do you want him to suffer with you, not have enough to eat or wear, and be bullied?”

Seeing that Jiang Suihan remained unmoved, Huang Qiujuan decided to take a different approach, targeting Jiang Lejun instead. It wasn’t a bad strategy.

Jiang Leyun was the only son of her younger brother and Jiang Suihan’s only brother. Jiang Suihan cared deeply for this brother, and Huang Qiujuan hoped that by using Jiang Leyun as a leverage, she could persuade Jiang Suihan.

Jiang Suihan remained indifferent. “Auntie, I don’t need to know you fully to understand your character. I know you’re trying to pimp me out for your own gain.”

“If I agree to marry Comrade Qin, he will likely reward you with a job for your family or a large sum of money. Am I right?”

She glanced disdainfully at Huang Qiujuan. “Everyone knows what’s going on. No need to hide it. If you think this marriage is so wonderful, find someone else. Don’t bother me.”

Some people only reveal their true intentions when confronted. Jiang Suihan didn’t trust Huang Qiujuan’s integrity. In the face of benefits, even family couldn’t be fully trusted, let alone others.

Moreover, with that dream lingering in her mind, Jiang Suihan wasn’t going to walk blindly into a trap.

Huang Qiujuan’s face turned icy. This girl was much smarter than before. She had hoped to persuade her easily, but now she had to come up with a more comprehensive plan.

Feigning hurt, Huang Qiujuan looked sorrowfully at Jiang Suihan. “Suihan, is this how you view me?”

Jiang Suihan remained calm and composed, shrugging slightly as if to say she was simply watching the show.

Without an audience, Huang Qiujuan’s performance fell flat.

Jiang Leyun tugged at Jiang Suihan’s sleeve, glaring angrily at the two unwelcome guests. “Get out. Our home doesn’t welcome you.”

Anyone trying to deceive his sister was a bad person. He wasn’t so naive as to not see through their intentions.

Qin Rongguang’s face was as dark as night. He hadn’t expected Jiang Suihan to be so resolute, indifferent to his threats.

Last year, he had met Jiang Suihan while visiting a friend at the university and had been infatuated at first sight. He had then gone through considerable effort to find out her name and class, trying to create opportunities to get close to her. However, Jiang Suihan had been focused solely on her studies, rarely going out.

He had hoped that, given the Jiang family’s misfortune, she would be grateful for his help and eagerly agree to marry him. To his surprise, she had refused him without hesitation.

Qin Rongguang’s face darkened further. He threatened, “The tactics of using rejection to gain interest won’t work on me. Don’t waste your time. If it weren’t for the fact that you’re somewhat presentable, I wouldn’t bother wasting my time with you. If you keep this up, I could make sure you and your brother end up without even a roof over your heads.”

Such revolting words, pretending to use manipulation, he wasn’t worthy!

Jiang Suihan felt nauseated. “Thanks for the compliment, but I’m truly not worthy.”

Although she spoke bravely, she was internally anxious.

She knew that if Qin Rongguang did as he threatened, with his family’s influence, her future would be much worse. She had no power or influence to fight against him.

Jiang Suihan had initially planned to proceed cautiously, to ensure things went smoothly. However, with Qin Rongguang’s visit today, the situation has soured. The best approach now would be to maintain a façade of agreement, then devise a strategy to outmaneuver him later.

But dealing with such people with false pretense was something she found intolerable. She feared she might even end up throwing up in front of him.

She was determined not to let this opportunity slip away. Her brother’s job depended on Qin Rongguang’s assistance.

Huang Qiujuan was unwilling to give up. “Why are you so stubborn? Besides Comrade Qin, who else would dare marry you now? You’ve been expelled from school and have no job. How will you support yourself and your brother? Listen to your aunt and make a life with Comrade Qin.”

Turning to Qin Rongguang, Huang Qiujuan ingratiated herself. “Comrade Qin, please don’t be angry. This child is still young and hasn’t quite come around. I’ll talk to her properly, and once she realizes your worth, she’ll understand how lucky she is to have you. It’s a fortune she’s earned over many lifetimes.”

Qin Rongguang’s mood improved slightly, but he still felt embarrassed by the public humiliation. “Fine, I’ll wait for your good news. I believe Comrade Jiang will change her mind soon.”

“You can give up on that hope. She’ll never accept you.”

**